Black Erosion Realm, a private chamber in the palace.
Zul Projection was sorting through records of the mineral veins. When he saw Ian return, he set down the crystal tablet in his hand.
"Why were you gone so long this time? A day longer than expected."
"I took a longer route." Ian pulled out the Eternal Tower and spun it in his hand. "It paid off."
Curiosity flickered in Zul's eyes. "How many did you collect?"
"Over a hundred settlements, at least a hundred thousand demons, and a Level-Six Demon King," Ian said evenly.
Zul's soul energy jolted. "A Level-Six Demon King?"
"I took the entire Molten Maw tribe." Ian placed the badge on the stone table.
Zul fell silent for several breaths. He had not expected his original self to have such a ruthless side.
"Where did you put them?"
"On the Insectoid Plains," Ian said. "There's plenty of room. Kerrigan isn't there right now, so you can have the place."
Zul nodded.
The Insectoid Plains stretched beyond sight. They had once held tens of millions of Zerg with room to spare. Now that Kerrigan had gone on a long journey with Ian, the plains stood empty.
"Go," Ian said calmly. "Advance as soon as you can. I have a feeling something is about to change."
Zul gripped the Wizard Tower. Golden light surged out and enveloped his body.
With a flash, he vanished from the chamber.
On the Insectoid Plains.
Zul opened his eyes, and his pupils contracted at the sight before him.
The vast plains stretched beyond the horizon, far larger than he had imagined—almost as large as the Black Erosion Realm.
Demons blanketed the plains, packed tightly together all the way to the edge of sight.
Hundreds of thousands of demons were sealed in translucent golden